I Put a Spell on You: SSA Choral Octavo
from the motion picture Hocus Pocus
Words and music by Jay Hawkins / arr. Jacob Narverud
Item: 00-PO-0006830
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This bewitching bit of '90s nostalgia will charm your audience in October or on any pops program. Originally written by "Screamin'" Jay Hawkins in 1956, this song is included on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. And who can forget Bette Midler's show-stopping rendition in the cult classic film Hocus Pocus? Conjure up some costumes and choreography to brew a spellbinding performance. Don't miss the incredible SoundTrax and SoundPax instrumentation. Download PartTrax MP3s for all the audio you need to rehearse and perform the SATB and SSA voicings. Each PartTrax package includes full performance, accompaniment only, and part-predominant mixes for every voice part.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0006830
More about this title
About the Composer: Jay Hawkins
Jay Hawkins (1929-2000) was an American R&B and rock and roll pioneer whose outsized stage presence and raw vocal power made him one of the most electrifying performers of the 1950s. Recording under the stage name "Screamin'" Jay Hawkins, he built a reputation for theatrical, high-energy performances that blended blues, rock, and early soul into something entirely his own. His 1956 recording of "I Put a Spell on You" became a standard, covered by artists across genres and cemented as one of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Hawkins' influence extends far beyond his own recordings. His fearless approach to performance, his willingness to push boundaries, and his catalog of distinctive songs have made him a touchstone for generations of musicians. For choral directors, his work offers an opportunity to explore rock and roll history while engaging students with a song that carries genuine cultural weight and immediate recognition.
Why we love this
This arrangement brings a certified classic into SSA voicing with the theatrical flair the song demands. Narverud's writing honors the song's swagger and mystique while giving your singers something singable and dramatically satisfying. The recorded accompaniment and part-predominant rehearsal mixes mean you can teach this efficiently, whether you're programming it for Halloween or a pops concert in February.
What to expect
Sultry and commanding, with a swagger that sits somewhere between rock and roll confidence and theatrical mystery. The song feels contemporary despite its 1956 origins, and the hook is immediate enough that audiences will find themselves humming it long after the performance ends.
Who it's for
This is ideal for middle school, high school, and community choirs looking for contemporary repertoire with instant recognition and audience appeal. SSA voicing makes it accessible to groups with developing lower voices, and the 16-page package is substantial enough to showcase serious choral work without requiring an extended rehearsal timeline.
How to get the most out of it
- Commit to the attitude. This song thrives on confidence and attitude; encourage singers to inhabit the character rather than simply execute the notes.
- Use the part-predominant PartTrax mixes during rehearsal to lock each voice part independently, then layer them together once singers know their lines.
- Shape the phrasing to mimic speech and swagger. Avoid singing it straight; let the syncopation and text painting do the dramatic work.
- Consider staging or choreography that plays into the spell-casting narrative. Even subtle hand movements or positioning can amplify the song's personality and keep audiences engaged.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece of a pops or fall concert; it works equally well as a Halloween-themed closer or as an October opener that sets the tone for lighter fare. The song's cultural footprint means it lands well on mixed programs and can serve as a bridge between classical and contemporary choral idioms.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining character and attitude through sustained vocal performance
- Balancing ensemble blend while preserving individual voice clarity in SSA texture
- Interpreting syncopated rhythms and phrasing in popular music idiom
- Singing with clear diction in an R&B and rock and roll style
- Layering harmonies and understanding how SSA voicing creates depth